Mr. Evans, a former senior systems analyst for the United Mine Workers Health and Retirement Fund in Washington, D.C., is accused of attacking a 22-year-old Mount Airy woman on Nov. 23, 1992, and a 19-year-old Dayton woman on May 14, 1992.

Assistant Public Defender Sam Truette, who is representing Mr. Evans, declined to comment on why yesterday's hearing in Howard Circuit Court was postponed. Mr. Evans had been expected to enter into a plea agreement.

The case was postponed Tuesday because Mr. Evans attempted suicide Monday in his cell at the Howard County Detention Center.

Mr. Evans is now scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 19. Mr. Truette declined to say whether Mr. Evans will proceed with the plea or have a trial.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Christine Gage, who is prosecuting the case, was out of her office yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Evans is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Montgomery County Circuit Court on charges for raping two women in 1990. He was expected to accept a plea agreement in those cases, but Mr. Truette declined to give details of the agreement or say if his client will go forward with it.